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What is it?

The Army Ethic inspires and motivates the conduct of Army Professionals -- Soldiers and Army civilians -- who are bound together in common moral purpose. It expresses the standard and expectation for all to make right decisions and to take right actions at all times. It is the heart of the Army's shared identity of trusted Army Professional.

The Army Ethic has three supporting roles:

Honorable Servants of the Nation-Professionals of Character

Army Experts-Competent Professionals

Stewards of the Army Profession- Committed Professionals.

A revised version of ADRP 1: The Army Profession released in conjunction with the U.S. Army's 240th birthday, includes a concise articulation of its ethic in a new Chapter 2: The Army Ethic.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey delivered the commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., May 23, 2015.

Gen. Dempsey told the graduates that he wanted to deliver one important message to them: "We trust you."

"We trust you to win our nation's wars, to be leaders of character and competence and consequence," he said. "We trust you to leave our profession better than you found it.

"As I shake your hand on this stage today," he continued, "I'll give you each a dollar bill that I've signed. In the years ahead, as you confront the challenges ahead, I hope you remember not who gave it to you, but what it means."

On 1 October 2014 we began the FY 15-16 Army Profession theme, "Living the Army Ethic." Our Army Ethic describes Why and How We Serve as American Soldiers and is embodied in the Army's motto This We'll Defend! Its focus is our shared identity as trusted Army Professionals, Soldiers and Army Civilians, who are bound by a common moral purpose. All of us are volunteers, serving in the United States Army which is a trusted, honorable profession. We contribute to the common defense of our fellow citizens and our national interest. By solemn oath, we bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution.

Col. Everett Knapp, director of the Center for the Army Profession and Ethic, leads a discussion about the role of civilians in the Army profession Feb. 23, 2015. This is another presentation in TRADOC's monthly civilian professional development series hosted by Thomas Grego, TRADOC G-2.